OFFENSE
1) We seem to have THREE tryouts for the same roster spot: KLINE, BARKER, CAVE.

2) We could use a backup TE.

DEFENSE

1) It seems that we now have Beauharnais and White competing for one roster spot.

2) We are short a DE.

3) We still could use an upgrade from Vellano.

4) We could use a defensive back if one is out there.

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I think you pretty much nailed it. Two thoughts:

I wonder if they think their new DT from Miami IS an upgrade from Vellano. I have been doing a lot of research on the guy this past hour, and I think the Dolphins really screwed up trying to get him on their PS.

Your only point I don't think I agree with is regarding the TE position. I do not expect to see many (if any) 2 TE sets. Expect mostly 2 RB's (with Vereen taking over Aaron's role of lining up everywhere). Add in Develin, and you have the TE type blocker still on the roster. When Gronk is back, I am sure we will see some sets with him and Sudfeld though.

Quarterback - They are fine. Arguably have the best 2 QBs in the DIVISION.

Running Back - A little sad to see Washington go, but his play didn't warrant a spot really. My only concern is now that Vereen doesn't have a true backup. If Bolden doesn't heal up soon, he could be on the outs.

Fullback - Develin and Hoomanawanui are similar players. Having both on the roster seems redundant.

Wide Receiver - This is probably as good of a group as the Patriots can field. The rookies just need to develop.

Tight End - With Gronk rehabbing, an injury prone Sudfeld and Hoomanawanui doesn't exactly excite me. It worries me, actually. I had hoped that one of Ballard or Fells would have been kept to act as the veteran and a steady presence. Hopefully the Patriots add to this position. It's easily the weakest on the roster.

Offensive Line - 10 OL is heavy for a team that really only needs 7. I hope this position gets trimmed for others.

Defensive Line - 4 Ends and 4 Tackles. The starters are solid. The depth at End COULD be something, but it's still asking a lot. Depth at Tackle is just two UDFAs. I hope for a veteran to be added soon.

Linebacker - 7 is 1 or 2 too many for this team. One of Beauharnais or White should be cut.

Cornerback - 4 Cornerbacks is not enough. Especially if Dennard is lost for any reason. An addition or two is needed.

Safety - Another underwhelming year of expectations for safety. McCourty should be good, but then you get Gregory, Harmon, Wilson and Ebner. Maybe Ebner can go because he only contributes on special teams, but otherwise there is nothing else Pats can do.

I'm on board here. BB put in a claim on a CB (Marcus Cooper) but didn't get him. If Dennard doesn't play, we are starting Talib and Arrington outside and Ryan in the slot with McCourty and Gregory at safety. And there is no safety net.

I wonder if they think their new DT from Miami IS an upgrade from Vellano. I have been doing a lot of research on the guy this past hour, and I think the Dolphins really screwed up trying to get him on their PS.

Your only point I don't think I agree with is regarding the TE position. I do not expect to see many (if any) 2 TE sets. Expect mostly 2 RB's (with Vereen taking over Aaron's role of lining up everywhere). Add in Develin, and you have the TE type blocker still on the roster. When Gronk is back, I am sure we will see some sets with him and Sudfeld though.

OFFENSE
1) We seem to have THREE tryouts for the same roster spot: KLINE, BARKER, CAVE.
edit: Make that FOUR. Edwin Williams (#7 OC in the 2009 draft) was in for a tryout).

2) We could use a backup TE.

DEFENSE

1) It seems that we now have Beauharnais and White competing for one roster spot.

2) We are short a DE.

3) We still could use an upgrade from Vellano.

4) We could use a defensive back if one is out there.

Click to expand...

Hindsight has proven me wrong about everything so I'm sure I'm wrong here too. But I think the CB/TE/OL situation is all tied to the same issues IMHO -- Gronk health and the early schedule.

First 3 games are against Bills, Jets, and Bucs. Although the Pats will give up 900 passing yards to them, these teams are run-first offenses with QB issues. Need for CB depth is minimal here, will likely use more big nickel packages than slot back packages.

Gronk will also likely play a limited role in these games. None of the remaining TEs are good blockers. Strength of the Bills and Jets are their defensive lines. So I suspect they're keeping extra OL for depth with the intention of using Cannon as a blocking TE as needed in those games.

After that, with a healthy Gronk and real passing attacks on the schedule, they'll dump the weakest OL player and pick up a CB (maybe resign Cole). At least I could see that being the plan if no serious injuries happen.

I also don't think Beauharnais and White are competing for one roster spot -- I'm sure BB's initial plan is for them to be STers and LB in name only. So they are replacing Rivera and Niko from last year. Also could be tied in to DE issue -- if planning on using Hightower and Collins as DE in various situations, would want more LB depth anyway.

OFFENSE
1) We seem to have THREE tryouts for the same roster spot: KLINE, BARKER, CAVE.
edit: Make that FOUR. Edwin Williams (#7 OC in the 2009 draft) was in for a tryout).

Click to expand...

I think only 1 will stick giving us a total of 8 OL’s, if I had to guess it will be Cave.

2) We could use a backup TE.

Click to expand...

I don’t think we do, I think we just weather the storm for a few weeks early until Gronkowski returns, the 2 TE offense is basically on the back burner until we have a real opportunity to replace Hernandez in the offseason, I think Sudfeld will add some production but I am not expecting them to use him on a situational basis in the flex TE role, I expect we will use more 3 WR sets, and even some 2 RB sets with Vereen playing a flex RB positon.

On the subject of RB/FB/TE I feel that having Develin and Hooman on the roster is a bit redundant, but that is just my opinion, once I get a chance to see how they’re being used it may change.

DEFENSE

1) It seems that we now have Beauharnais and White competing for one roster spot.

Click to expand...

I don’t have a huge issue with them both being onboard because our special teams coverage has been poor in the preseason so having 2 athletic young LB who can contribute should help out a lot.

2) We are short a DE.

Click to expand...

Agreed, I think we should consider bring Benard back.

3) We still could use an upgrade from Vellano.

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I think A.J. Francis was an excellent pick up, I anticipate you will be pleased with him as a player, he will drop Vellano down to 4th on the depth chart, and let’s hope we can see some contributions from Armstead after week 8.

4) We could use a defensive back if one is out there.

Click to expand...

Adding depth in the form of a CB that can play in an outside position could be the biggest need we have right now, even if we kept Cole he really only provided depth at STAR, and given that Talib and Dennard have shown a history durability issues I feel this is something we must address, I do think Belichick is high on Ryan as a player though.

Hooman/Devlin
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Well, if we're not going to have a 3rd TE, we need a FB/h-back until Gronk gets back. We wouldn't be able to run a short yardage set with 2 TE's and a FB if we didn't keep both of these. Maybe Develin can go when Gronk is back at 100%.

Corner
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Belichick will add a corner, the question is who. Certainly, Moore has to be given consideration. He's certainly good enough to be our #4 or #5.

I think only 1 will stick giving us a total of 8 OL’s, if I had to guess it will be Cave.

I don’t think we do, I think we just weather the storm for a few weeks early until Gronkowski returns, the 2 TE offense is basically on the back burner until we have a real opportunity to replace Hernandez in the offseason, I think Sudfeld will add some production but I am not expecting them to use him on a situational basis in the flex TE role, I expect we will use more 3 WR sets, and even some 2 RB sets with Vereen playing a flex RB positon.

On the subject of RB/FB/TE I feel that having Develin and Hooman on the roster is a bit redundant, but that is just my opinion, once I get a chance to see how they’re being used it may change.

I don’t have a huge issue with them both being onboard because our special teams coverage has been poor in the preseason so having 2 athletic young LB who can contribute should help out a lot.

Agreed, I think we should consider bring Benard back.

I think A.J. Francis was an excellent pick up, I anticipate you will be pleased with him as a player, he will drop Vellano down to 4th on the depth chart, and let’s hope we can see some contributions from Armstead after week 8.

Adding depth in the form of a CB that can play in an outside position could be the biggest need we have right now, even if we kept Cole he really only provided depth at STAR, and given that Talib and Dennard have shown a history durability issues I feel this is something we must address, I do think Belichick is high on Ryan as a player though.

Hooman/Devlin
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Well, if we're not going to have a 3rd TE, we need a FB/h-back until Gronk gets back. We wouldn't be able to run a short yardage set with 2 TE's and a FB if we didn't keep both of these. Maybe Develin can go when Gronk is back at 100%.

Click to expand...

Don't discount Vollmer being able to swing over to LT, with Cannon at RT, and using Solder as a TE in short yardage situations, Belichick really liked using that unbalanced line in 2011 and used it last season, not as much because of Vollmer's injury issues but it is a very effective formation in short yardage situations.

Don't discount Vollmer being able to swing over to LT, with Cannon at RT, and using Solder as a TE in short yardage situations, Belichick really liked using that unbalanced line in 2011 and used it last season, not as much because of Vollmer's injury issues but it is a very effective formation in short yardage situations.